Jim Grant has more than 25 years’ experience helping executives across Australia build emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams. Jim explains why real coaching starts with self-awareness – not strategy – and how diagnostics like the MSCEIT tool can transform leadership effectiveness. 

Jim challenges surface-level leadership advice, advocating for obsessive clarity, vulnerability-based trust, and feedback as daily practice. He unpacks what separates professional coaches from amateurs, explores how fear and anxiety drive poor leadership behaviours, and highlights why emotional intelligence – measured, not assumed – is a critical asset in the AI era. 

Takeaways 
Self-awareness must come before strategy for leadership to be effective. 
Emotional intelligence is a measurable ability, not a personality trait. 
Real coaching isn’t advice-giving – it’s facilitating behaviour change through deep listening. 
Amateur coaches focus on problems; professionals guide toward solutions and growth. 
Clarity is a leadership responsibility, not a one-time communication event. 
Vulnerability-based trust is the foundation of any high-performing team. 
Leaders must learn to read the room and manage emotional dynamics. 
Fear and anxiety often drive micromanagement and ineffective leadership behaviours. 

Follow Jim Grant 
https://www.jimgrant.com.au/

Books on this episode 
Jim Grant’s workbooks and leadership tools: https://www.jimgrant.com.au/online-store/  
Emotional Agility by Susan David https://amzn.to/4kqAiBz  
Love, Hope and Leadership by Gary Burnison https://amzn.to/3FawXr5  

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners  

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/  

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO  
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.  
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.  

Follow me:  
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth  
Enjoying the show? Leave a review 

Jim Grant has more than 25 years&rsquo; experience helping executives across Australia build emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams. Jim explains why real coaching starts with self-awareness &ndash; not strategy &ndash; and how diagnostics like the MSCEIT tool can transform leadership effectiveness.&nbsp;
Jim challenges surface-level leadership advice, advocating for obsessive clarity, vulnerability-based trust, and feedback as daily practice. He unpacks what separates professional coaches from amateurs, explores how fear and anxiety drive poor leadership behaviours, and highlights why emotional intelligence &ndash; measured, not assumed &ndash; is a critical asset in the AI era.&nbsp;
Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Self-awareness must come before strategy for leadership to be effective.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Emotional intelligence is a measurable ability, not a personality trait.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Real coaching isn&rsquo;t advice-giving &ndash; it&rsquo;s facilitating behaviour change through deep listening.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Amateur coaches focus on problems; professionals guide toward solutions and growth.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Clarity is a leadership responsibility, not a one-time communication event.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Vulnerability-based trust is the foundation of any high-performing team.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Leaders must learn to read the room and manage emotional dynamics.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fear and anxiety often drive micromanagement and ineffective leadership behaviours.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Follow Jim Grant <a href="https://www.jimgrant.com.au/">https://www.jimgrant.com.au/</a>
Books on this episode Jim Grant&rsquo;s workbooks and leadership tools: <a href="https://www.jimgrant.com.au/online-store/">https://www.jimgrant.com.au/online-store/</a>&nbsp; Emotional Agility by Susan David <a href="https://amzn.to/4kqAiBz">https://amzn.to/4kqAiBz</a> &nbsp; Love, Hope and Leadership by Gary Burnison <a href="https://amzn.to/3FawXr5">https://amzn.to/3FawXr5</a> &nbsp;
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a> &nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a> &nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a> &nbsp; Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO&nbsp; Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.&nbsp; Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Follow me:&nbsp; on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a> &nbsp; on <a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a> &nbsp; Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.